2 Samuel 15:5-13

5When anyone approached him and bowed down, Absalom would reach out, take hold of him, and kiss him.

6This is what he did for all Israelites who came to the king to have him try their case. So Absalom stole the hearts of the people of Israel.

7Four years later Absalom said to the king, “Let me go to Hebron and keep the vow I made to the Lord.

8I made a vow while I was living at Geshur in Aram. I said, ‘If the Lord will bring me back to Jerusalem, I will serve the Lord.’ ”

9“Go in peace,” the king told him. So he went to Hebron.

10But Absalom sent his loyal supporters to all the tribes of Israel and said, “When you hear the sound of the ram’s horn, say, ‘Absalom has become king in Hebron.’ ”

11Two hundred men invited from Jerusalem went with Absalom. They went innocently, knowing nothing ⌞about Absalom’s plans⌟.

12While Absalom was offering sacrifices, he sent for Ahithophel, David’s adviser, to come from his home in Giloh. Meanwhile, the conspiracy grew stronger, and the number of people siding with Absalom kept getting larger.

13Someone came to tell David, “The hearts of the people of Israel are with Absalom.”